There are a few administrative details to take care of before launching into your first shipment using MIL-Comply VSM Integration. Note that some features described in this document require VSM Library version 1.2.042 (MIL-Comply release 1.4.0220) or later.
Step 1. Confirm VSM Web Login
Log in to the VSM web site using your current user ID and password. Note what those are as you will need them to configure MIL-Comply. If you do not already have a VSM web site account, go to https://vsm.distribution.dla.mil.
Step 2. Request Web Services access to VSM
VSM integration uses web services to exchange data with the VSM server. You must request web service access from DLA. It is not a big deal, they just need to flip a couple of switches. You can do that through the DLA Transportation Office (delivery@dla.mil). However, we recommend using Mil-Pac's VSM Web Services Activation Request form. VSM will respond with a 401 error until authorization has been completed.
Step 3. Install FOB Destination SOAP Client
Processing FOB Destination shipments requires a special web services client for handling SOAP protocol. FOB Origin shipments can be processed without it. The client can be found in the Product Updates section of Mil-Pac's Support site.
Step 4. Configure VSM Integration
Using VSM in MIL-Comply requires a little bit of configuration before getting started.
Step 5. Ensure VSM Integration is licensed
Use of VSM Integration requires a specific license. There are three ways to determine that it is in place for your installed serial number.
1)Looking at VSM Configuration (from Comply/Shipper or Comply/Labeling) a warning will be issued if the properly license is not found.
2)In the AdminTool, License > View will list VSM in the features.
3)Open a shipment as VSM in either Comply/Shipper or Comply/Labeling. If not licensed you will see the following on the bottom of the VSM Shipment Dashboard:
Step 6. Test Access to VSM
Before starting on your first shipment it is a good idea to test VSM access, which will let you know that you are ready to transact with the VSM server.
See also:
Processing shipments with MIL-Comply's VSM Automation. 